My particular Pavilion ZV5000 model is the Best Buy specific ZV5240 which bumps the specs up significantly from the bargain base model. I am satisfied with the 60GB EIDE hard drive (4200 RPM). More would have been good, but for the price I can not complain. The system boasts 512 RAM which includes 128MB shared video memory (the video card is a ATI Mobility Radeon 9000). This is more than what was on my previous notebook, so again I’m fine with it but would have preferred more (in a perfect world, of course). The processor is a Pentium 4 3.0GHz with hyper-threading technology (another major improvement on the Satellite which was just a 2.0GHz). With a built in modem and network card in addition to 802.11g wireless (which supports the old b standard), my HP provides all the latest network connectivity. With three USB 2.0 ports, firewire (IEEE 1394), and built-in 5-in-1 digital media reader (supporting Secure Digital, MultiMediaCard, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO and SmartMedia), the ZV5000 series computer provides all the necessities and a few extras which have proven useful in digital photography. While my new computer regrettably doesn’t come with a disk drive, there is that option. I doubt I’ll actually buy the peripheral though it will be interesting to see how I deal without the old trusty 3.5” drive. The CD-ROM is actually a CD burner (24x24x24) and DVD reader (8x) in one. This is a scant improvement on my old Satellite, so I am fine with it. One marked improvement for me is with the internal speakers. The harman/kardon 16-bit stereo sound is worlds better than the generic and unpredictable/oft-crackly sound of my old computer. As far as input devices go, the notebook comes with a fancy touch pad. In fact, I really like this feature. I’ve never been a fan of the lack of responsiveness with most touch pads, this one is nice. It comes with the typical touch area and two buttons. Additionally, it has a textured area slightly to the right for scrolling. To this I say hallelujah--it’s about time. However, I do instead tend to use a peripheral infrared mouse instead despite my appreciation of HP’s lovely touch pad innovation. Speaking of useful buttons, HP also has a few easily accessible toggle options. It is simple to turn off your touch pad (unlike on my old computer). There’s a button for it just above (get this) the touch pad. You can also toggle your wireless in much the same manner. Oh yeah, and the battery is the expected Lithium Ion, though in the case of the Pavilion it seems to last relatively well (a few hours) as compared to my old Satellite which didn’t seem to do quite as well. One final thing to mention is that the pavilion ZV5000 doesn’t come with good software. It comes standard with Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition (blech), the newest (double blech) Microsoft Works, Quicken New User Edition, Microsoft Money, Encarta Plus, among various other HP imaging software. I’m not impressed by this but fortunately have other better software at my disposal. The final cost of the computer (had it not been a “free replacement”) with rebates is right now about $1300--maybe a little less. For the price I’ve been impressed thus far--especially with the display and sound. It definitely isn’t a good choice if you are looking for something light and mobile, but if your laptop is your only computer the HP ZV5000 is worth investigating.